Program Meant To Curb Impact On Larger Game

A program begun in 2003 to prevent wolves from decimating Alaska's moose and caribou populations has run afoul of an Alaskan judge, who ruled Tuesday licensed hunters can no longer shoot wolves from airplanes.

The program -- which set a quota for hunters of 400 wolves per year -- was began after some in the state complained wolves were taking down vast numbers of the big game animals, which are hunted for food.

In response to a lawsuit originally filed by the advocacy group Friends of Animals, State Superior Court Judge Sharon Gleason ruled the Alaska Board of Game failed to heed its own regulations when it allowed aerial hunting, according to Canada's CBC.

Gleason told the board they failed to prove hunting wolves by air was necessary, or that it was any more effective than other ways of increasing big game populations.

The hunting was halted immediately after Tuesday's ruling, though the decision was met with criticism by many -- including Alaskan governor Frank Murkowski.

"I stand firmly behind the state's predator control programs, which are based upon sound science," said Murkowski in a written statement, adding he expected aerial hunting to resume sometime in the near future.

Friends of Animals -- which had failed to stop the program in 2003 -- was understandably pleased with the decision.

There are anywhere from 7,000 to 11,000 wolves in Alaska. As they are not endangered or threatened, trappers are allowed to trap them for their fur.

FMI: www.friendsofanimals.org, www.wildlife.alaska.gov